스페인 코브라 그룹(Grupo Cobra)과 UAE 기반의 유티코 중동기업(Emirates-based Utico Middle East)의 합작 투자로 UAE 최북단의 라스 알 카이마(Ras Al Khaimah)에 약 1억9천570만 달러 상당의 담수플랜트가 건설된다. 벤처 파트너의 말에 따르면 이 담수플랜트는 에미리트 및 주변 지역으로 하루 110M1의 담수를 생성해 내보낼 것이라고 밝혔다.

아부다비 기반의 간툿(Ghantoot)그룹의 자회사, 중동의 유티코(Utico), 코브라 그룹(Grupo Cobra)은 담수 플랜트의 개발을 감독하기 위해 60:40 파트너 협정을 맺고 알 함라 물기업(Al Hamra Water Company)을 통합하는 두바이 협정에 서명했다.

A joint venture between Spain's Grupo Cobra and Emirates-based Utico Middle East is building a Dh 719 million (US$ 195.7 million) desalination plant in northernmost emirate, Ras Al Khaimah. The facility will generate desalinated water at 110 Ml/d for the emirate and neighbouring areas, according to a statement from the venture partners.

Subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Ghantoot Group, Utico Middle East, and Grupo Cobra have signed an agreement in Dubai to incorporate Al Hamra Water Company, under a 60:40 partnership to oversee the development of the desalination plant.

Managing director of Utico Middle East, Richard Menezes, was reported as saying that most of water will be supplied directly to the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) which supplies electricity and water to Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and some east coast cities.

Construction on the facility will start in September with the plant scheduled to supply water to Fewa by June 2017 and to be fully operational in 2018, acceding to Menezes. The venture has issued a tender to supply solar panels to the plant with 16 companies having pre-qualified, Menezes said.

The plant will be the first desalination in the region to be independently financed, which will be 80% debt financed, Menezes sai He went on the say the plant would be expected to bring a return on investment of 15-16% but he was reported to have declined to indicate over what the period.

[출처 = Desalination & Water Reuse / 2015년 8월 11일]